Fantasy Aviva Premiership season 4

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the 4th season of the fantasy aviva premiership game


This Weeks match thread(s) :- TBA

Season One Homepage (Archived)

Season Two Homepage Part One(Archived)

Season Two Homepage Part Two(Archived)

Rules

Fixture/Results list

League Table

Top Points Scorers

Top Try Scorers

European Homepage

LV Anglo Welsh Cup Homepage

Transfer Homepage

Press Releases

Unavailable Players

Waiting list for a team

1. Sam
2. pullthestrings
3. Bathite

Teams
Bath RFC
Manager:- 207bars

Exeter Chiefs
Manager:- RugbyDriver

Gloucester
Manager:- Anonmattyt

Harlequins
Manager:- Steve_sharks

Leicester Tigers
Manager:- LukeLovesLuka

London Irish
Manager:- stnick88

London Wasps
Manager:- Arry

Newcastle Falcons
Manager:- PoolyPunk

Northampton Saints
Manager:- Dammit_Chris

Sale Sharks
Manager:- SirJohnnyEnglish

Saracens
Manager:- LDCPete]

Worcester Warriors
Manager - Prop_Lyd

Any names

everyone over rates there players without doubt.
deals are becoming tough because no-one wants to lose out and people arent taking as many risks. also the english rule makes it harder to do deals.

L.I in talks with Alex Gray. you wont like that pooly.

He's a real class act mate, going to be a star. Be a massive loss for us as was Brookes.

Pooly, I thought it was a decent deal that Luke offered you, but looking at your squad I could see what you were saying. Having Cole and PDJ would not be beneficial to you.

There's been a few that I have thought were odd decisions no tot take, can't recall exact ones right now.

I did laugh at Arry's comment to you about needing a massive gain for Thommo. The only massive gain I've seen around Thommo in recent times is his weight. Just struck me as an odd decision from Arry, as he has 4 hookers, 2 are current internationals and one is on the fringe of the Ireland squad.

He has stated that he is buying another hooker in for the World Cup which will then give him massive depth in that position after the tournament finishes. Would make sense in my mind to then do a deal on either Thommo or TPN and gain depth elsewhere, as that would still leave him with 4 very good hookers, which he could have done with you. Just struck me as an odd decision

Pooly you have pulled off some great deals.
I've done some shockers like swapping Hook for Geraghty.

I also thought that deal Luka offered Pooly was stacked in Poolys favour, but those big deals can be risky and there is no point in doing deals for the sake of it.

Glad he didn't accept it now seeing everyone's opinions.... Lol.

Was no good at all for me Luke, I'd have struggled to get 5 good English out. Parling's not rated atm but is back next season and gives me a good English option. Thorn is world class but I have plenty of 4's and 5's are harder to come by.

Fritz is a class 13 but I have loads of options there and to lose and English winger for him made no sense.

Was a fair offer though, but I'd still not be able to do it lol

Who's smashing some deal out today then????

All players except JOC available...

English needs English

driver whats going on with the summer champ?

you changing the format ?

Everyone will play everyone nick , think it gives everyone a better understanding of where to improve

How is everyone doing re the summer championship. I am primarily playing new signings and combinations and most importantly will be giving my WC side a run out to bed in etc.

To be honest i am putting very little stock on it and will not be marking anyone down for something like lack of time as a combo for the WC. The reason being that everyone will be playing new combinations as all of our best players will be away.

Have you seen that Nacewa is likely to go to the WC with Fiji. In todays Irish Independent

Personally I am looking to give my WC team as much game time as possible, and throwing in a few new signings now and then. May play some WC players once or twice too.

http://www.espnscrum.com/2011-rugby-world-cup/rugby/story/140945.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

He didn't make the initial squad...really need him available.

WC team and new signings for me matt. players like tonga, tagicakibau, pienaar, sbw wont be playing.

New signings and trying to get a lot of eq players out. Adding a bit of experience with w.c players when needed but the next 2 games will mainly be players who won't be going to the w.c.

Have just named my side for this week - 17 EQ players, including 4 who are outside chances to go to the World Cup, otherwise all of the players I've named will be available for me during that period.

Interesting article Matt, talks about Burger and Bakkies recent pick up in form. The main point is PdV considering Burger at 8 to accommodate Brussow and Smith on the flanks:

6. Brussow
7. Juan Smith
8. Burger

That's a pretty mean backrow!

http://www.sportal.co.nz/rugby-union-news-display/burger-at-no-8-for-boks-124823

Once the Heino draw is done today I will update our Euro page with the draw for this game.

Just to let people know the 7 teams in this game who have qualified for the Heino are Newcastle Falcons, Saracens, London Irish, Gloucester, Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers and Harlequins.

Bath Rugby, London Wasps, Northampton Saints, Exeter Chiefs and Worcester Warriors will compete in the Amlin.

Pooly if you remember the other year when Burger was made captain of the Stormers the plan was for him to play 8 which was not the worst idea. He is seriously good at linking play and offloading etc. Could be like a super physical Hari

Depends on whether they want Alberts to Start or as an impact sub

Alberts is still best off the bench at international level Mat. He will cause tiring teams all world of problems in the final 20 minutes of games.

Duane Vermeulen could be in with a shout too.

I'm guessing Alberts will be the bench option if all fit. Be a way of accomodating their best players, although he talks of changing the formation for certain games. That's a backrow to challange the AB's imo.

Don't know if it's too late for vermeulen Luke, he's been the steady standout 8 for a couple of seasons now but Pdivvy doesn't seem to fancy him. Be a better option that Spies for the weather in NZ.

For me Juan Smith is the most important player in rugby in terms of what he brings to a team. He is more important to SA than Carter to NZ even.

When he is missing SA are half the team. He does so much dirty work that he frees Burger to go on the rampage.

he would link nicely with Hari and Burger for me!!

Lol..he's a top top player. Cheethas look lost without him.

You never know Matt for the right offer

Cheetahs have some fine forwards. Their entire front row is fantastic and they have Ashley johnson who will definitely add to his haul of caps in the back row. If you add in Brussow and Smith it is some forward pack

Really like the look of AJ this season, looked a little one dimensional last year but he's looked great at BS/8.

I really like their SH too, Pretorious or something. Looks the best 9 in the SA this season, got a complete game about him.

Sarel Pretorious, could be a bolter for the WC, has been second only to Genia as the best 9 in the competition this season.

Thats the one...I don't think he's fancied much though. They seem to like that Charl lad who plays for the Sharks I think.

Surprised nobody has figured out the Sharks defualt move of "give the ball to Alberts" yet.

Pretorius is a fine player. He is26, 27 or 28 and may have missed the boat.

Think he played for the emerging Boks vs Lions. The game in Cape town where the rain was hammering down.

A real try scorer also.

Its all very well knowing the move but when your as huge a carrier as alberts you still need stopping.

Must be one of the people you least want running at you 20 to 21 st of sheer muscle. no wonder he injures so many people

Crikey did I sneak into the Heiniken cup?

Didn't expect that

I thought he was 18st...doesn't look 20/21st...that's huge!!!

Ranges from 19 st upwards. He is maybe nearer the 19st mark this year hence the extra gas. When he toured the AI's was 21 st.

Steven_Sharks wrote:Crikey did I sneak into the Heiniken cup?

Didn't expect that

You finished 7th in the league so got the extra place that was awarded to the AP by virtue of Ap teams winning both trophies in this game.

Pool 1: Munster, Northampton, Scarlets, Castres

Pool 2: Cardiff Blues, London Irish, Edinburgh, Racing-Metro

Pool 3: Leinster, Bath, Glasgow, Montpellier

Pool 4: Leicester, Clermont, Ulster, Aironi

Pool 5: Biarritz, Ospreys, Saracens, Treviso

Pool 6: Toulouse, Harlequins, Gloucester, Connacht

Some tasty Pools there.

Leicester, Clermont, Ulster and Aironi the hardest I reckon.

Quins v Gloucester games will be epic

Get in. I get a trip to Toulouse to Watch Gloucester. i know we will lose but it is the best trip you can hope for as a spectator.

Pool 1 is super tasty and Pool 4 is the pool of death!!!

Irish have got an easy pool comparatively

Clermotn always seem to be in the pool of death.

I don't know Matt. Toulouse looked weak in T14 final. A bit more in the tank and Montpelleir would have done them

I don't think 4 is the pool of death. To be a true pool of death you need all 4 teams to be capable fo beating each other, and Aironi are likely to lose all 6 games in pool 4.

Irish's pool is the most evenly balanced, with all 4 capable of winning it. No standout team, but no really weak team, it's going to be fascinating.

Has everyone seen that Stade have released Haskell?

So, in this game the Heino pools for next season will look like this.

Pool 1
Munster
Gloucester
Scarlets
Castres

Pool 2
Cardiff Blues
Sale Sharks
Edinburgh
Racing Metro 92

Pool 3
Leinster
Leicester Tigers
Glasgow
Montpellier

Pool 4
Newcastle Falcons
ASM Clermont Auvergne
Ulster Rugby
Aironi

Pool 5
Biarritz Olympique
Ospreys
Saracens
Benetton Treviso

Pool 6
Toulouse
Harlequins
London Irish
Connacht


I will get the European homepage updated when I am at home on the computer.

I suspect racing will walk that group.

For the life of me don't see how Cardiff are top seeds

I'm not sure that Racing will Steve. Their priority is likely to be the T14 and there are still question marks about their ability on the road in Europe.

Cardiff Blues have a good record in Europe over the last 4 yeas, hence their tier 1 ranking. I suspct that should they fail to get out of the pool stage this year, they will drop into tier 2 next season.

Matt: i'm looking at going to Galway, always liked Connacht so would love to see Glaws against them. Hopefully going to Ollie's last game vs Toulouse too!!

I will defo do the Galway trip also. its a really good place for a night out

He's off to the Rebels I think Pete.

Ah cool, well i'm hoping to get a few over to Galway, I've done the other provinces but never ventured there!! Will have to start pricing it up...flights or ferry?!

Flights all the way. Fly into shannon and get a train or bus its an hour or so away from there. Alternatively fly to Dublin and get the bus which is about 4 hours.

Galway is party central

Ok cool, hopefully fixtures will be announced a.s.a.p so we get cheap flights etc!!

I'm about for some deals, as always!

Anybody know a good place to d/l rugby games? Looking at maybe older Int games or this seasons S15 games